What is a county jail commissary?

A:

Quick Answer

A commissary is a facility established by a county jail that sells items such as stationery, hygienic products, snacks and over-the-counter medicine. Inmates use money from their accounts to purchase these items, as illustrated by Fresno County Sheriff���s Office.

Keep Learning

The commissary's facility manager sets prices for items on sale. The additional profit margin realized from the sale of these items transfers to the Inmate Welfare Fund, which facilitates the welfare of inmates through expenditures such as radios, TV sets and recreation equipment, according to the Calaveras County website. Because inmates cannot hold money, friends and relatives can contribute to their accounts, allowing them to buy basic items from the commissary.